Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China opposes foreign interference in Venezuela’s affairs.

The UN Security Council, in an emergency meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on Saturday, called for a political solution to end the crisis in the South American country.

Ma called on all parties to stay rational and calm while keeping in mind the fundamental interests of Venezuela’s people.

He expressed support for the government’s efforts to uphold national sovereignty.

“All countries should abide by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as non-interference in each other’s affairs and refraining from the use of force,” he said.

“The situation in Venezuela does not constitute a threat to international peace and security,” Ma added, saying, “China is against adding the situation in Venezuela to the affairs of the Security Council.”

He called on all relevant parties to respect the choice of Venezuela’s people and reiterated, “China does not interfere in other countries’ affairs.”

The emergency meeting was mainly requested by the United States and some other countries in the wake of days of crisis in Venezuela marked by popular protests that erupted on Wednesday after the leader of the legislature, Juan Guaido, declared himself “interim president”, a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduro, who had been sworn in to a second term in office just two weeks earlier, according to Xinhua.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN undersecretary-general for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed concern about the situation in Venezuela and that attempts at dialogue have not led to any agreement.

“The protracted conflict in the country has had a grave impact on the population,” she said. “We must try to help bring about a political solution that will allow the country’s citizens to enjoy peace, prosperity and all their human rights.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to “lower tensions” in the country and called on all relevant actors to commit to inclusive and credible political dialogue, in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Wednesday.

Concerned by reports of casualties in and around the capital Caracas, the UN chief also called for a transparent, independent investigation into those incidents.

DiCarlo stressed at Saturday’s meeting that the main concern is the well-being of the Venezuelan people and their ability to enjoy their full rights.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the council’s purpose is to safeguard international peace and security.

Many Venezuelans have fled the country, with most heading to neighboring countries.

“Former President Maduro bears full responsibility for this tragedy,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo said a new leader (Guaido, whom the US supports) promises to bring security back to the region.

“We must support the Venezuelan people, and do so right now,” Pompeo said.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya rejected that assertion by saying that his delegation cannot support attempts by the US to introduce an agenda item on the situation in Venezuela, which constitutes a “gross abuse” of the prerogatives of the council’s permanent members.

The internal situation in that country is not on the agenda, he stressed, adding: “We do not see any external threats in the situation of Venezuela.”

He said the US was imposing its own “approaches and recipes” to solve the problems on the ground in Venezuela.

“This meeting is yet another attempt by the United States to affect regime change, and (the Russian Federation) regrets that the UN Security Council has been drawn into such an unethical ploy,” he said.

The last time the Security Council convened on a weekend was on April 14, to discuss the Israel-Palestine issue.